First impressions are important. And the Bondage Basics Leather Collar arrived in a see-through plastic tube, carefully rolled and presented. Opening the tube meant breathing in the delightful aroma of leather, immediately followed by the lovely sensation of running the collar through my fingers.

While this is, indeed, a basic collar, it's not shoddy. The design is quite ingenious, with a hole/cinch/strap slide holding it in place. Sure, you can put a padlock on it to keep it closed - but it's not needed, and stays closed just fine without it. This design also means that you can put it on and take it off yourself (if you want to, that is), rather than needing someone to put it on for you. There are a large number of holes, so no matter whether your neck is tiny or large, it's likely to fit.

While I don't wear collars very often (my neck gets rubbed and sore after a short while), I decided to really give this one a thorough testing. I wore it for an entire day - 11 hours, to be exact - out in public and on a leash. Here's what I found:

Two inches is a very wide collar. My general preference is for one about half the width. That said, while I did have marks on my collarbone and under my chin when I took it off that night, at no point did it become so uncomfortable that I wanted to take it off. In fact, I was asked a few times if I wanted it unpadlocked so I could remove it, and I refused each time.

For people with necks smaller than mine, some may find that the clasp will sit at back of the neck, which could be an issue if you lie down when you're wearing it. For many people, and for myself, it sat to the side. I found that the padlock I had on, while small, did irritate me slightly, but the clasp itself did not.

The D-ring at the front is firmly set in place, and quite strong. Even having a leash on all day, and occasionally being pulled along, it didn't loosen, and neither did it yank unpleasantly on the rest of the collar. The width of the leather helped there, I think.

A few small niggles: the metal of the clasp was a little tarnished when I received it. However, that can't be seen while the collar is on (in contrast, the metal of the D-ring was shiny and well-maintained). Additionally, tucking the strap into one of the holes after cinching it on means it doesn't flap about, but it can work itself out and sit loosely. Not such a good look. And, finally, being on a lead meant that the collar itself slid ever so gently around to be off-centre. I could have had it on tighter, but then it wouldn't have been as comfortable to wear for as long. As it was, it just needed to be re-adjusted every once in a while.

I was wearing the red collar with a matching red and black outfit, and a shiny aluminium chain-maille leash, and I received many compliments over the course of the day. Not all of them were collar-specific, but it was mentioned often enough to have me perpetually smiling, and running my fingers across it!

Before wearing this collar for the day, I was dubious about how comfortable it would be, and whether I would want to keep it. Having given it a thorough test-drive, it's promptly become a favourite. I'll be wearing this one again - and that's from a woman who doesn't even like necklaces because they annoy too much. High praise indeed!

This product was provided free of charge to the reviewer. This review is in compliance with the
FTC guidelines.

So the collar itself didn't loosen throughout the day? That's my main concern with the new Kinklab designs. Excellent review!

09/05/2008

Dame Demi

I bet it looked great with your outfit! I can't help but think the leather looks thin enough to cut into the skin, though. Glad to hear it didn't too badly.

09/05/2008

Reviewette

Cock Wrangler, the strap didn't come loose - although it did loosen if the end wasn't tucked under. But worked really well!

Dame Demi, the leather isn't quite as thin as it looks. While it did leave marks on my skin, it was mostly because it was so wide and I wore it for so long. I'm considering using leather shears to trim mine down a little.

xx Dee

09/06/2008

All In

Looks beautiful, how bad were the marks on your skin? Did a lot of it bleed onto you?

09/06/2008

Oggins

I'm also interested if a lot of it bled onto you. I've had similar things leave my skin funny colors. I find it very attractive though. Thanks for the review! =)

09/06/2008

Reviewette

None of the colour bled at all (and it never occured to me that it would, so I didn't mention that). The marking on my skin was a very mild chafing from having the bottom edge of the collar pressing on my collarbone all day. It was nearly gone by the next morning, and completely gone after 24 hrs.

xx Dee

09/06/2008

Nashville

While it's wide, did it make being lead around on a leash easier? I've noticed thinner collars seem to dig in a lot more and hurt. Just curious how your experience with it was..

10/06/2008

Reviewette

Hmm. It certainly spread the 'pull' of the leash well. My only other collar, the Baby D, I haven't been led around whilst wearing. So unfortunately I'm unable to give you a decent comparison of that.

xx Dee

10/06/2008

SexyStuff

Thanks!

03/02/2011

Blooddragon

Nice review!

03/20/2011

Eucaly

Great review!

01/04/2012

roskat

Thanks for the info on the locking system. I was wondering how well it worked.